Electrolyte level control device for storage batteries



July 29, 1941. J. SANDUSKY 2, ELECTRQLYTE LEVEL CONTROL DEVICE FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Filed May 2'7, 1940 H m M of my invention;

Patented July 29, 1941 ELECTROLYTE LEVEL CONTROL DEVICE FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Julius Sandusky, Toronto Township, Peel County, Ontario, Canada Application May 27, 1940, Serial No. 337,437

7 Claims.

The object of this invention is to provide a device which will prevent the overfilling of battery cells when fresh liquid is being added.

The object is attained by means of the construction which may be briefly described as follows: The battery cell is of the usual plate type which is totally enclosed and has a filler opening in the top thereof for the purpose of adding fresh liquid to the cell. Over this filler opening is screwed a filler cap which has a hole formed therein for the purpose of ventilating the cell. Extending downwardly from the filler opening is a filling tube which extends into the battery cell to the correct level of the electrolyte above the plates. Formed in this filling tube is a vent consisting of one or more openings for the purpose of forming a communication between the air space in the top of the battery cell and the atmosphere when the lower endof the filling tube is immersed in the electrolyte. The

vent isof such small dimensions so that if the liquid which is being addedto the battery flows over the vent it seals the vent and when the liquid rises to the bottom of the filling tube there is no communication between the atmosphere and the air space in the top of the cell. The liquid will then rise in the filling tube indicating the cell is filled to the correct level. A slight jarring of the battery will cause the seal in.the vent 'to break and the liquid will drop in the tube to the same level as the liquid in the cell.

The vent then forms the only communication between the air space at the top of the cell and the atmosphere since the end of the tube is under the liquid. While the vent is of such small dimensions that a film of liquid tends toform over it and seal it, it is so constructed that the total area of the opening formed by the vent is comparatively large to rovide for the passage of gas normally generated by the charging of the battery. To provide such comparatively large area the vent is comnqsed of a plurality of openings or a single long narrow opening.

A baflie is provided to direct the liquid against the vent when the battery is being filled.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which a Figure 1 is a vertical section of the top of a cell of a battery constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 a section on the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 a vertical section of a modification Figure 4 a similar view of another modification; V

Figure 5 a section on line 5- 5 in Figure 91;

Figure 6 a vertical section of still another modification of my invention; and

Figure 7 a plan view of the invention as shown in Figure 6 with the cap removed.

I In the drawing like numerals of reference indi- I cate the corresponding parts in the diiferent figures. v ,The cell I is of the usual type as used in storage batteries having plates 2, a container 3 and top 4. Extending through the top 4 are terminals 5.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the filler opening 6 has an outwardly extending boss 'i which has formed thereon an external thread on which is screwed the filler cap 8 having vents [4.

Extending inwardly from the boss 1 is the filling tube 9 in which is formed an ofiset opening Ill at its lower end. The offsetting of the opening lll'forms a shoulder or bafile l5.

Formed in the filling tube 9 at the nearest side of the offset opening is a slot ll of. a width so small relative to the length of the slot and thickness of the tube that when water fiows down the-inside of the tube and over the slot a film tends to form over the slot and-seal it. This slot may extend the full length of the tube 9 or may be formed in the tube intermediate theabovethe top of the plates 2. The space between the top of the plates 2 and the end of the tube 9 controls the level of the electrolyte in the cell.'

To fill the cell The operation is as follows. of the battery, the cap 8 is removed so that the liquid to be added can be poured through the filler opening -ii and passes through the tube 9 and the ofiset hole l0. Some of the liquid passing through the opening 6 and down the tube 9 contacts the shoulder formed by the offsetting of the hole In and splashes against the slot II and forms a seal therein. This closes any communication between the air space at the top of the cell and the filling tube. As the liquid is continued to be poured into the cell, the level will gradually rise until it reaches the bottom of the tube 9. Since the slot II is closed'by a film of liquid there is no passage of air between the top of the cell and the filling tube. The liquid will then rise in the filling tube to the filler opening indicating that the liquid in the liquid in the slot II is suificient to prevent the air being forced through the slot by the. head of the liquid in the filling tube 9.

Jarring the battery, such as would happen in I! of small dimensions formed therein in place of the slot l I. The sealing of these holes i2 is effected by pouring the liquid over them when the battery is being filled.

Figures 4.and 5 show a still further modification of my invention. Instead of the holes I 2 formed in the tube 9 rectangular openings N! of small dimensions are formed therein. The seal, in this case, is also formed in the openings l3 by pouring the liquid over them when the battery is being filled as in the modification shown in Figure 3.

The purpose of forming the vent as a slot or a plurality of openings is to provide a, vent of large area compared to the width of the opening or openings in order to provide for the escape of gasesnormally generated when the battery ischarged.

Figures 6 and 7 show still another modification of my invention. In this modification in addition to the shoulder or baffle formed by the oilsetting of the hole Hi, there is also shown a rockable bailie H. The invention can be used with either type of'baffle and it is not necessary to use both.

Formed in the filler opening 8 is a shoulder l8 on which rests the baiile IT. This baiile has a semicircular part i9 which rests on the shoulder l8. Formed integral with the part i9 is a counter balance weight 20. From substantially the -center of the baflle the baffle is bent slightly downwardly towards the vent and has shoulders 2| and 22 formed thereon to form pivots engaging the shoulder IS on which the baiiie rocks.

from said opening into said cell; a vent extending through the side of said tube forming a communication between the interior of said tube and the air space withinthe top of said cell, said vent being of such dimensions that water flowing over it tends to form a seal; and a baffle in said tube adapted to direct water passing through said tube over the vent. I

2. In an electrolytic level control device for storage batteries, a cell having a filling opening communication between the interior of said tube and the air space within the top of said cell, said vent being of such small width that water flowing over it tends to form a seal, but of comparatively large area; and a baffle in said tube adapted to direct water passing through the said tube over the vent. 3. In an electrolytic level control device for storage batteries, a cell having a filling opening therein; a filling tube extending downwardly from said opening into said cell; a slot extending through and longitudinally of said tube forming a communication between the interior of said tube and the air space within the top of said cell, said slot being open at its lower end and The downwardly sloping part 23 has holes 24 therein and is out so as to have spaces 25 between the fiiler opening 6 and the bafiie.

When filling the battery the downwardly sloping part 23 causes the liquid to flow down over the vent i i to form a seal.

The bafiie is made rockable to allow the passage of a hydrometer through the hole i ll into the electrolyte when testing the battery.

I have found by practical experience, if the vent is in the form of a slot, that a tube of :3, of an inch in thickness the ,width of the slot should be about a; of an inch. If the end of theslot is closed the width of the slot can be increased to 3 of an inch and still give good results.

I have also found if the vent is in the-form therein; a filling tube extending downwardly of such width that water flowing over it tends to form a seal; and a bafile in said tube adapted to direct water passing through the said tube over the slot. I

4. In an electrolytic level control device for storage batteries, a cell having a filling opening therein; a filling tube extending downwardly from said opening into said cell; a vent extending through the side of said tube forming a communication between the interior of said tube and the airspace within the top of said cell, said vent being of such dimensions that water flowing over it tends to form a seal; and a baiile in said tube located substantially opposite the vent to direct water passing through said tube against the vent.

5. In an electrolytic level control device for storage batteries, a cell having a fllling'opening therein; a filling tube extending downwardly from said opening into said cell; a vent extending through the side of said tube forming a communication between the interior of said tube and the air space within the top of said cell, said vent being of such small width that water flowing over it tends to form a seal, but of comparatively large area; and a baiiie in said tube located substantially opposite the vent to direct water passing through the said tube against the vent.

6. In an electrolytic level control device for storage batteries, a cell having a filling opening therein; a filling tube extending downwardly from said opening into said cell; a slot extending through and longitudinally of. said tube forming a communication between the interior of said tube and the air space within the. top of said cell, said slot being open at its lower end and of such width that water flowing over it tends to form a seal; and a baiile in said tube located substantially opposite the slot to direct water passing through the said tube against the vent.

7-. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the baiile is rockable to permit the passage of a hydrometer.

JULIUS SANDUSKY. 

